A wish for Scotland - this is what the independence movement truly hopes for

On Wednesday the 18th of September the Believe in Scotland family marked the date of the tenth anniversary of indyref with our Billboard campaign, Still Yes poster campaign and a series of events put on by local groups across Scotland along with our midweek rally at Holyrood - A successful day of activity which overall sent a clear message of both hope and defiance, challenging the unionist narrative that independence was dead for the next ten years.
At the rally in Edinburgh we had three wish trees, an idea generated from our Creating Scotland event. We asked people to write a wish for Scotland on a luggage label or to state why they believe in Scotland and pin it on one of the wish trees. It's always interesting when you do this exercise and you very quickly get an insight as to why people are motivated to campaign for an independent Scotland. You can see people’s positive motivations and some may find what truly motivates Indy people a tad surprising.
The wish topics can be divided into 4 main categories that represent almost 80% of the responses and an additional 4 smaller categories representing just over 20%. Top of the list was Equality, a fairer, more equal Scotland with greater access to opportunity for all. Equality accounted for 25% of all responses. Democracy came a close second with 24%, a nation where the people of Scotland get to choose the direction and values of our nation and not the more right-wing leaning London and South East. A better future for our Young People came third with 17% of the vote and to be fair, if the top two wishes come true then it's a mathematical certainty that the next generation will live in a better Scotland and have more access to opportunity. 12% of attendees talked about creating a better Economy but almost all of their comments were accompanied by an emphasis of the economy to allow opportunity and a fairer country and protect Scotland’s wellbeing.
Re-joining the EU and more of a say in international relations accounted for 9%. A wish for Unity within the independence movement (to be better placed to deliver independence) 5% and hopes for the Environment and Political Motivations took the bottom two places on the list at 4% a piece.
Consider this, almost all the conversation around independence is based on politics and not on people’s hopes and dreams and aspirations for a fairer, more prosperous, more democratic and wellbeing led independence nation. Yet those are the motivations for supporting independence - I have been saying for years we are having the wrong conversations and that the independence movement is overly dependent on divisive issues and tribal politics - that is what is holding independence back. Talk to people from the heart and they will understand why we want to run our own affairs - it's to be a fairer, healthier, happier, greener, more prosperous and equal nation that invests in the wellbeing of all its citizens.
What motivates the independence movement?
There were only a handful of Political Motivations; typically they included statements such as “I wish to be free from the uncaring influence of Westminster”.
“I feel Scotland has suffered enough at the hands of self-centred Westminster politicians”.
One comment that kind of summed up all the Environment focussed wishes was: “I wish Scotland was independent and able to manage our own resources - physical, social and human to be for the benefit of and to protect the wellbeing of Scotland people and environment”.
Likewise there were some calls for Unity, echoing my offer of “a hand of friendship to the rest of the Indy movement” during my speech. e.g.: “My wish for Scotland now is for all organisations to come together”.
And “SNP, Alba and the Greens to work together and remember they work for us. Get the keys to the door and then play politics”.
The EU featured a little more strongly as Brexit is the key lightbulb moment for most recent No-Yes switchers. Typical comments included “An EU country with the values of taking care of people wherever they are from”.
“I want to live in a Scotland governed solely by a government made up of Scotland’s, focussed on Scotland’s needs and desires, and to return to the E.U”. “I wish Scotland to find its rightful place back amongst the European family of Nations”.
The view was that independence would benefit the Economy strongly but again there was a great deal of crossover with the themes of fairness, equality and environmentalism. e.g.: “We can build a nation that works for everyone, not just billionaires”.
“I very much wish to grow old in an independent Scotland where there is a well-being economy and society and everyone here can live their best lives”.
“I wish for a kind and fair Scotland where our people make our decisions in our best interests and wellbeing in mind and that we benefit from our abundant natural resources.
“An independent Scotland running our own affairs and finances with fairness and wellbeing for all the inhabitants of Scotland - a decent pension to live on, a properly funded NHS etc”.
Young people and their future was clearly a major motivator and given the polls suggest a super majority of young people agree with independence this is a key set of values to promote. Examples: “My wish for an independent Scotland is for my kids to have careers here if they wish, without having to move South or abroad”.
“A modern, outward looking independent Scotland, where those who come after me can prosper.”
Two other answers stood out as a delightful contrast “I wish for a free Scotland for my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. I am 77, please let it happen before I die. (I’ve not much time left)” and at the opposite end of the age scale:
“I wish for Scotland to have a choice over all reserved matters as it should be. David, age 13.
Democracy was the leading motivator for almost a quarter of the participants with comments such as: “I believe in Scotland because the people of Scotland are no worse or better than anyone else and if other countries can make their own decisions then why can’t we”?
“We can build a nation where the public are actually listened to, and policy isn't bought and paid for by a bunch of billionaires.
“Full, engaging and transparent Democracy takes a country deciding for itself, to where the people of Scotland decide”.
“Because I trust the people of Scotland to make the best decisions for their future”.
“An end to Westminster’s dominance of our everyday lives. Freedom to choose oor ain gait!
And finally the main motivator for support in independence is a wish for greater Equality and fairness. “A fair and just society and a more equal and prosperous society”.
“In an independent Scotland we must get rid of ancient feudal land ownership”.
“A freedom loving multicultural country with equality of opportunity for all citizens”.
“We are a tolerant, rich and welcoming nation. With our new powers of an independent country we will ensure that all our citizens will share in the prosperity generated”.
“I wish Scotland to be independent so we can make it a better country for the well-being of all its people”. Almost getting its own category with 4% of the vote was republicanism.
“I wish for an independent multi party republican country”.
Let's end on a comment that is even more relevant today than it was last week “A country which serves humanity - an end to war and the promotion of peace, safety and humanity for all."
80% of the motivation for the independence movement is driven by equality and fairness, a wish for greater, more transparent democracy, the values of shared wellbeing in terms of prosperity and the environment and internationalism for a better future for our young folk.
However, it seems that 80% of our conversations about independence are arguments amongst ourselves around political differences within the movement and occasional tribalistic policy fights with unionists. My advice is let's get away from divisive politics, speak to the undecided but speak from the heart and then independence will form the beating heart of our nation and nothing will stop us.
22,000 others have already pledged their support, because only a non-party-political independence campaign can move independence support to the levels we need to win our independence. We Believe in Scotland – Join us!